The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday disclosed it is stepping up oversight of American Airlines in the wake of three botched landings by the carrier over an 11 day period.

The latest incident, which prompted heightened FAA scrutiny of American's operations, involved a jetliner whose wingtip struck the ground while landing in Austin, Texas, on Christmas Eve. There were no injuries and the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft was inspected and returned to service. But the incident raised concern inside the FAA, according to people familiar with the matter, because it followed two more-serious landing mistakes on aircraft operated ...

While this may be a training issue, I doubt it just as much as I doubt the crash in Little Rock was a training issue. In the end its more of a fatigue issue and the decisions pilots make while acting under the fatigue at the end of a 14 hour duty day, having sleep only 5 or 6 hours prior.

American slashed its pilot rolls and adjusted its crew scheduling downward in the wake of the economy. But has since added flights back without adding the crews. Placing the demand to fly these trips on existing crews.

Most of these crews fly 2 to 5 legs a day depending on their equipment and routes. when you add in flying time, with time on the ground between flights added crew duties related to security measures as well as changing weather at your destination thats causing the dispatchers to push you out fast.

The guy who wrote this knows what he is talking about. Nothing wrong with AA Training. I have no doubt its the best in the business. What’s wrong (and right), is the human factor. Balancing ego, experience, skill and judgement in an operation 24/7, 365 days a year against fatigue and extreme conditions (nasty weather) is the ultimate game of machine vs man. Nature will have its victories.

Review what type of aircraft are involved in these type accidents (Buffalo). On a landing approach its usually a turboprop; not a jet. What the airlines and the FAA ALREADY know is that these type aircraft (turboprops)are not as safe (as jets) in inclimate weather. Unfortunately, not all business decisions are smart business decisions. Want to talk about executive pay?

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